Many of us have no idea how plumbing works. Knowing a few simple tips and tricks can help you keep your money in your hands and not that of a plumber. Sometimes it is necessary to call up a plumber but by following a few words of advice you can take preemptive action and stop a problem before it starts.
If your pipes are making a racket there is a simple way to quiet them down. You simply have to securely fasten any pipes that are exposed. Call a plumber to help with pipes that require you to cut a hole in a wall ceiling or floor.
To avoid having your outdoor faucets freeze up in the winter detach all hoses before the first freeze. Also close the shutoff valve that leads to the outdoor faucets then turn on the outdoor faucets to let any remaining water in the lines drain. Once temperatures warm up in the spring you can reverse the process.
Make sure overflow holes are cleaned out. This can help to prevent any water damage. Overflow holes are a way to stop water from overflowing if a sink is left on by accident. If the overflow hole is clogged it will not be able to do its job.
DIY plumbing jobs will require that you understand how to solder copper for the lines for the water supply. You can practice this skill so that you will be able to run your lines without worrying about it leaking. Search online for video tutorials that can help you get a handle on how to go about soldering.
Cover pipes that are outside or in cool areas. Use heat tape to make sure that the pipes are completely covered and insulated. This will prevent frozen pipes in the winter which can be an expensive problem. Check outdoor pipes for other problems such as leaks and cracks which are better to catch early.
Make sure that any exposed pipes in your home are insulated especially those found in crawl spaces on the outside walls of your home. This will help keep them from freezing and causing you tons of problems. Frozen pipes can often be devastating and leave you with problems that are expensive to fix and no water in the middle of winter.
As you have read there are many different ways to deal with and maintain your own plumbing. You need to find the treatment that works for you. There is a ton of information that can help you get started. By following these tips you are well on your way to doing your own plumbing like a pro.